"Green Acres" it ain't, but we love owning and visiting the Hawksbill Cabin, near Stanley and Luray, Virginia, and a wealth of outdoor activities, including: the "World Famous" Shenandoah River, Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns, and Massanutten Resort. From time to time we'll post about other stuff, too.
As the number of blog posts grows, we've added a few navigation tools in the right column to facilitate getting around the site.

Ramble On

Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Farms on the 2012 Page County Grown Tour

Last year I put together a short post about the Page
County Grown Farm Tour, and included a few blurbs about the farms that were on
the tour. Thought I’d do the same thing
this year – starting with the two farms that weren’t on last year’s tour.

You know, Page County Grown is a great thing for our
area…here’s a reminder of the vision statement:
“Page County Grown is thriving family farms driving local food economies
and promoting healthy communities where quality farming is a valued heritage
and a staple for growth.”

Now about the farms! First the two
newbies:

·Raise it Right
Farm: This is a
10-acre farmstead in northern Page County.
The family of four started with a small backyard garden, added laying
hens and honey bees…progressing to livestock – sheep and goats. They’re raising much of the food they need to
get by, and often have extra. The
enterprise has grown this year and they are raising pastured broilers along
with everything else.

·Survivor Farm: This is another small farm,
located near Lake Arrowhead in Luray.
The family hopes to raise all the fruits and vegetables needed to
survive – right on their farm. The farm
is currently growing tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, asparagus,
blackberries, and raspberries. Their
products are available in the CSA shares at Public House Produce, and at the
Luray-Page Farmers Market.

These PCG members were on last year’s tour. I am looking forward to seeing them again!

·Khimaira Farm (9am only): A
working dairy and meat goat farm, focused on sustainable agricultural
practices. The family’s home is located
just outside of Luray and dates from the Civil War era. Khimaira is also a popular wedding
destination in the Shenandoah Valley.

·Skyline Premium Meats (10am only): This farm, located just south of Luray on
Business 340, emphasizes humane management and safe handling practices to
ensure a consistently high quality product.
Skyline Premium’s approach specifies that no hormones, steroids or other
chemical alterations are used; because of this, the beef has earned designation
as “A Virginia’s Finest Product.”

·Wisteria Farm
and Vineyard:
Wisteria is a local vineyard located near Stanley; it is also a working
farm with a colorful flock of Romney sheep and free-ranging chickens. Wisteria’s current wine offerings include Pinot Gris,
Chardonnay, Viognier, Traminette, Seyval, Merlot, and Norton, as well as a
semi-sweet rose blend – Velvet, and a dessert wine – Sweet Daisy.

·Public House Produce: This is a family owned and operated farm
located about one mile north of Luray.
The farm’s produce is available at the Luray-Page Farmers Market and via
their CSA. Over 80 varieties of fresh
produce are offered, along with pasture based, heritage chicken and fresh farm
eggs. Public House’s goal is high
quality produce and poultry from a local source you can trust.

·Paw Paw’s Honey: This visit also takes place at Public House
Produce. Paw Paw’s Honey is a blend of
what is naturally available to the bees in Page County, so there are slight
variations in taste and color from bottle to bottle – but the honey is always
sweet and good. Paw Paw’s also raises
and sells queen bees and beeswax.

The Page County Grown website is at www.pagecountygrown.com for more
information about the farmers and other members. And click the 2011 Farm Tour Label for photo highlights of last year's tour!